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Aaron M. Smith
ams@msblaw.com
Phone: 616-732-5000
Fax: 616-732-5099

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Aaron M. Smith
Associate

Aaron concentrates his practice in the areas of transactional real estate and real estate development. Aaron counsels clients ranging from individuals and small business to developers, financial institutions and nonprofits in a variety of real estate matters including, the acquisition and disposition, development, and leasing of commercial, office, and retail properties. Aaron also represents lenders in the review and documentation of commercial real estate loans.

Areas of Practice:

Commercial and Residential Real Estate Development
Leasing
Purchases, Sales and Exchanges
Title Examination and Review
Mortgage Transactions

Representative Transactions:

Sales, Acquisitions & Real Estate Development
- 2010-2011: Represented dental practice in the acquisition of land and development and leasing of a multi-tenant dental office financed by SBA 7(a) loan.
- 2010: Represented developer in connection with the sale of shopping center outparcel. Transaction included the negotiation of an access easement, license agreement, and repurchase option.
- 2009-2010: Represented regional bank in negotiating sales of multiple bank branches in West and Northern Michigan. Certain transactions included the leaseback of ATM and drive-thru facilities.
- 2009: Represented the purchaser of a former rec. center in obtaining a variance for offices in a residential zoning district.
- 2009: Represented purchaser in acquisition of 80 acres of land for development of regional sports complex.
- 2008: Represented retail developer in connection with acquisition of abandoned railroad right-of-way as part of a property assemblage.
Leasing
- 2010: Represented national nonprofit organization in negotiation of lease for operation of a charitable thrift store in multi-tenant shopping center.
- 2010: Represented national and local nonprofit organizations in negotiation of leases in multi-tenant office building.
- 2010: Represented national nonprofit organization in development of tenant lease form for multi-tenant shopping centers.
- 2009-2010: Represented multiple office building owners in negotiation of leases and amendments with various local and national tenants.
- 2009: Represented office building owner in the negotiation of lease and financing of tenant improvements for restaurant.
Real Estate Financing
- 2008-2011: Represented regional bank in conducting loan reviews and documenting extensions for multiple commercial loan files.
- 2010: Represented owner of apartment complex in connection with $4.2 Million FHA loan.
Other
- 2009-2011: Represented nonprofit mountain biking association in negotiating license agreements with municipalities and counties for the development of mountain bike trails and facilities in public parks.
- 2009: Represented property owner in negotiation of license agreement for sculpture park and meditation garden on its campus.

Bar Admissions:

Michigan, 2003
U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 2003
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2007

Education:

J.D., Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, 2002
B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Hope College, Holland, Michigan, 1999

Professional Associations and Memberships:

State Bar of Michigan, Member
Grand Rapids Bar Association

Real Property Section, Member, 2009-Present
Young Lawyers Section, Chair 2008-2009

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